The FCPA Blog picks up news about a Chinese billionaire detained in the railway corruption scandal, learns that an African anti-corruption reformer was assassinated months after discovering an embezzlement scandal, picks up the Farmal news, measures countries by their rule of law index, posts the FCPA guidance and reminds that it’s non-binding.

Tom Fox runs another guest post from Mary Jones and responds to a post from the FCPAProfessor, who continues a series of posts on old enforcement actions. James McGrath finds that small aerospace companies can’t fly under the FCPA radar. Trace International asks if the FCPA could prevent future financial crises. Mike Volkov looks to four more years of enforcement, considers ways to keep internal investigations independent and creates a framework for gifts and other expenses. Thebriberyact.com says the SFO should never refuse to take a case due to lack of funds.

Money Laundering:

Anti-corruption activists attending the 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference pledged to crack down on kleptocrats. (TrustLaw)

Under a proposal by Fincen, the Department of Homeland Security’s border enforcement agencies would be required to scan prepaid credit cards for those crossing the border. (Forbes)

A U.S. lawyer who faces charges of laundering more than $600 million for a Mexican drug cartel is scheduled to ask to be released on bail. (AP)

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency arrested a security official at the aviation agency for allegedly acting as a courier for money laundering. He pleaded not guilty. More here. (Nigerian Tribune, Naij)

France is the first Western country to recognize Syria’s opposition council as the sole representative of the Syrian people. The Gulf Cooperation Council states did earlier. Tehran is planning a “Syria national dialogue” meeting. A report in Japanese media said North Korea shipped missile parts to Syria in violation of a U.N. weapons embargo. More here. (BBC, AP, Reuters, AFP, NY Times)

For the 21st year in a row, the U.N. condemned the U.S. embargo on Cuba. More here. (Al Jazeera, AP)

Global Witness said earlier this week that Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Eni SpA could “fall foul of anti-corruption legislation” in Britain over a $1.1 billion Nigerian offshore oil block the companies bought last year. The oil block was once owned by a former oil minister’s company; the companies have said repeatedly that they dealt with the government, not the minister. (Reuters)

The U.S. ranks as one of the top financial secrecy havens. (Trib Live)

The American Petroleum Institute is still unhappy with the SEC’s decision not to stay extractive industry disclosure rules while the trade group sues to block the rules. Lawyers in other suits against Dodd-Frank rules downplayed the politics surrounding the litigation. (UPI, ComplianceWeek)

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About Corruption Currents

Corruption Currents, The Wall Street Journal’s corruption blog, digs into the ever-present and ever-changing world of corporate corruption. It is a source of news, analysis and commentary for those who earn a living by finding corruption or by avoiding it. Corruption Currents is written by Christopher. M. Matthews and Sam Rubenfeld and edited by Nick Elliott.

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